60 | SEPTEMBER 21 • 2023 SPOTLIGHT Suit up for ‘Suitember’ D avid Elkus, owner of Baron’s Wholesale Clothiers in Farmington Hills and Todd’s Menswear in Royal Oak, has launched Suitember, a national partnership of men’s suit shops across the country. Suitember is designed to highlight both the benefits of dressing well and helping local charities in each store’s community. While “anything goes” dress codes have spread across the country, customers say wearing a suit makes a guy more effective. Today’s modern suit appeared in the early 1900s. There were and are lots of variations: single-breasted, double-breasted, oversized to super-slim, wide lapels to thin lapels, notch or peak collars, center vent, side vent, no vent, pleats or flat front, cuffs or not. One of the more exciting moments (with a significant personal connection) was the “Thunderbolt. ” Designed by Elkus’ grandfa- ther, Nathan “Toddy” Elkus, this long coat with wide shoulders, fly front, slash pocket jacket with a high-waisted pant was intro- duced in 1939. This quickly became popular- ized as the Zoot Suit. Elkus created a Suitember website, www. suitember.com, which includes the history of suits and top reasons to wear one. The partnership helps local charities in each store’s community. In the Michigan community, the charity will be Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield and others still to be determined. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz to be Honored Each year, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan hosts a fundraising event that brings together elected officials, corporate executives and commu- nity leaders to recognize the importance of its work and honor an outstanding Michigan leader. This year, the council will be honoring Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, presi- dent of Oakland University, with the prestigious Eugene A. Gargaro Public Service Award in recognition of her public service and commitment to civic engagement at its annual public policy dinner at St. John’s Resort in Plymouth Sept. 27 starting at 5 p.m. Dr. Pescovitz, has more than 30 years of experience leading positive change in academic health centers and universities, as well as delivering innovations in bench-to-bedside discovery and facilitating collaborations between academic and com- munity partners. The Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr. Public Service Award recog- nizes and lauds these indi- viduals for these efforts. On behalf of the citi- zens of Michigan and the local governments they serve, it thanks them for lifetimes of service. Recent honorees include Paul Hillegonds, John Dingell, Doug Roberts, Dennis Archer, and Kelly Rossman- McKinney, posthumously. Dr. Pescovitz will also be part of a panel of higher edu- cation experts to discuss the importance, opportunities and challenges of providing higher education in Michigan in the 21st century. For more information, visit https://crc- mich.org/event/2023-annu- al-public-policy-dinner. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz Suicide Prevention Training A Single Soul, a suicide pre- vention program at Jewish Family Service, is forming a Suicide Prevention Training Cohort for 30 mental health professionals as well as cohort of 20 youth mental health professionals that begins next month. Members will receive com- prehensive, evidence-based trainings in suicide prevention, intervention and treatment. Trainings will cover screen- ing, assessment, intervention, safety planning and treatment options and prepare you to be a part of a suicide safer com- munity. Social workers who partici- pate will also receive free CEUs when applicable. Apply today at jfsdetroit. org/asinglesoul. Questions? Contact Trisha Mindel at tmindel@jfsdetroit. org or call (248) 592-226. Religious Heritage Bus Tour Join the Interfaith Leadership Council as it explores some of Detroit’s most historical sacred sites, including Masjid Wali Muhammad, Bethel A.M.E. and the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue on Friday, Oct. 13. The $70 ticket price includes lunch at Sinbad’s in Detroit and a five-hour bus tour. The Bianco Tour Bus will depart from Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township at 10 a.m. Attendees should plan to arrive by 9:45. Register at https://tinyurl. com/3mvk6cn5 to reserve your seat. Tickets are limited.